Rotarian & Centurian Passes Feb 4, 2014 - A Life of Service
When Leland Mebine of Flower Mound was born 100 years ago, a loaf of bread was six cents and a stamp was two cents. But while the cost of things has changed over the years, some things remain the same such as Mebine's involvement and commitment to the community. His 100th birthday was celebrated by the Flower Mound Rotary in June with a traditional cake and singing of Happy Birthday. Mebine looked delighted as several Rotarians went to the podium to tell stories about the man who still regularly attends weekly Rotary meetings, works out at the YMCA three mornings a week, and has a way of getting his friends similarly involved in the community.
Mebine has been a Rotarian for 23 years and served as International Service Chairman for five years. He initiated the Youth Exchange Program, which sponsored some 50 long and short term exchanges, and he also assumed direction of Matching Grants, initiated the club’s involvement in Teacher Exchange and Group Study Exchange. At the District level, he variously served as Chairman, Matching Grants, Ass't District Governor, and Youth Exchange Chairman as well as being the recipient of Rotary District 5790 Lifetime Achievement Award
“For me, Rotary has provided an unparalleled opportunity for service in the interest of humanity. Becoming a Rotarian was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have been privileged to attend many Rotary International meetings, which I found to be a very enriching experience,” Mebine stated.
Rotarian Gerald Robinson first met Mebine in 2000 when he visited the Flower Mound Rotary. “I remember talking with him prior to making my decision to become a Rotarian. I was so impressed with how involved he was in Rotary, thru International and RYLA. He was then serving as the District Chair for International and was very involved in the youth exchange programs. I thought to myself, WOW!!!, what a way to do good for others and help impact lives in a positive manner,” Robinson remembers. “As I learned more about Rotary and our motto, "Service Above Self", I often thought of how easy it would be for Leland, then in his mid eighties, to just stay on the sidelines and not be an active participant. But he was still very active in our club and with the District!! What a shining example of Service Above Self he portrayed thru his commitment to Rotary. While all of my Rotary Friends have impacted how I personally feel about Rotary, I think no one made more of a singular impact on me than Leland. He is my inspiration, as I hope to be as involved as he while I "mature"!” Robinson said.
Mebine received Flower Mound Chamber's Lifetime Achievement Award for 30 years of service to the town where he has also held leadership positions in the Chamber, Youth and Family Counseling, and Friends of the Flower Mound Library. He has also served on the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Flower Mound Town Council.
Rotary President Randy Pope noted that Mebine is an avid art collector, has a Facebook page, and touts the motto of “Life Gets My Vote.” Even at the age of 100, it appears he is voting daily as he continues membership in the Summit Club, the Rotary, and Friends of the Flower Mound Library as well as regularly attending productions at the Flower Mound Performing Arts Theater, The Greater Lewisville Community Theater, and the Lewisville Lake Symphony among other venues in the Metroplex.
Friend Nini Correll said that through Mebine's own habit of re-inventing himself through new interests and community involvements, she has been inspired to do the same.
Through the decades, Robinson said Mebine had sold chemicals, been a weather forecaster for the Navy, and lived in Spain while working as a consultant among other things. He was married to his wife Mary for 54 years when she passed away a few years ago.
Mebine was given a standing ovation at the conclusion of the program, and the Flower Mound Rotary Club feels very fortunate indeed to count him as one of their own.